Why does this matter? Well, for starters, it shows that nutrition during the first 12 months of life is even more important than previously thought. It also suggests that changes in our body throughout mid-life aren’t to do with changes to our metabolism, but our dietary choices. Finally, it leaves room for research into how the declining metabolism after 60 could relate to old age-related diseases.

It’s not to say that you can’t improve your metabolism throughout your plateauing midlife, either. Moving more is the best place to start, particularly if that exercise is resistance-based. A 2020 review of 18 studies proved that resistance training is effective at increasing resting metabolic rate because the more muscle you have, the greater your caloric needs. If there’s ever been a reason to take up strength training, it’s got to be this.

Does your metabolism change as you age?